The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to Amnesty International (AI) claims that more than 120 people have been killed since President Bola Tinubu was inaugurated on Monday, May 29.
The global watchdog had on Tuesday alleged that the brazen failure of the Nigerian government to protect Nigerians was gradually becoming the norm in the country, even as it said the promises made by the government has not translated into meaningful action.
But in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Barr Felix Morka, the APC faulted Amnesty International’s report on the ground that it was a hasty conclusion that was far from reality.
Describing as “uncharitable and inconsiderate” of Amnesty International to accuse the Tinubu-led government that is just settling down of dereliction of duty, Morka accused AI of “sheepishly gloating over the unfortunate incidents.”
APC stated: “While we thank Amnesty International for drawing attention to the lingering security challenges in our country especially in Plateau, Kaduna, Benue and Zamfara, we find its conclusion hasty and inconsiderate. President Tinubu had decried the persistent security breaches in the country and said he would not allow insecurity challenges to bring Nigeria to its knees while other countries are advancing.
“It is therefore uncharitable and inconsiderate of Amnesty International through its Acting Nigeria country director, Isa Sanusi, to accuse the new government that is just settling down of dereliction of duty.
“Amnesty International is known for stoking internal conflict and citizen antagonism in developing nations through weaponisation and accentuation of local situations to achieve its sinister objectives while hypocritically looking the other way when similar incidents occur in developed nations, especially in the Western world.”
APC listed some countries, including the United States, that are plagued by global challenge of insecurity, noting that by the end of May 2023, almost 20,000 people have died cumulatively as a result of gun violence and other violent crimes in the United States (US).
The governing party wondered why AI has refused to accuse the American government of dereliction of duty, adding that even in the United Kingdom, there is a growing menace of stabbing and knife-related crimes.
Morka recalled that the UK police recorded 49, 265 offences involving knives and other sharp instruments in 2022 alone and another 46,334 in 2021.
Accordingly, he advised Amnesty International and its affiliates to give the young Tinubu government some time to work things out, rather than rushing out with its jaded diatribe against the Nigerian government and its security authorities.
The APC spokesman added: “President Bola Tinubu and his team are settling down to solving many of our national challenges across various sectors. Amnesty International should allow this government to do its work without their usual condescending hypocrisy.”
